The evaluation process
Anxiety is not one disorder. Generalized anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety, and post-traumatic stress each have distinct presentations and respond to different first-line approaches. Getting the diagnosis right matters, because medication choices that work beautifully for one form can be unhelpful — occasionally counterproductive — for another.
What a first visit covers:
- A comprehensive evaluation that distinguishes GAD, panic, social anxiety, and PTSD
- Validated instruments: GAD-7, PCL-5, PHQ-9
- Review of prior benzodiazepine history
- Therapy referral when CBT or exposure therapy is part of the plan
A treatment plan is discussed before you leave. When medication is the right next step and there are no contraindications, a prescription may be sent that day; in many cases we prefer to start after labs, a records review, or a brief focused follow-up.
Medication options
Medication choice is matched to symptom profile, medical history, prior trials, and patient preference. Where therapy belongs alongside medication, we say so and help coordinate the referral.
- First-line SSRIs/SNRIs: Escitalopram, sertraline, venlafaxine XR, duloxetine.
- Non-benzodiazepine adjuncts: Buspirone, hydroxyzine, gabapentin, propranolol.
- Benzodiazepines: Prescribed cautiously; rarely started de novo.
- Other options: Mirtazapine, prazosin for trauma-related nightmares.
Serving Newberg and Yamhill County
Our Newberg office at 710 E Foothills Drive, Ste 104 serves Dundee, Dayton, McMinnville, Carlton, Yamhill, Lafayette, Sherwood, Tigard, and King City, with secure-video telehealth available to patients throughout Oregon.
The Newberg practice sees a distinctive patient mix for anxiety — George Fox University faculty and graduate students under publication and thesis pressure, hospitality and wine-industry professionals through the seasonal volume swings of crush and summer tourism, and parents in the Newberg and Sherwood school districts managing the layered anxiety of work and caregiving. A meaningful subset of our anxiety caseload is patients who were started on a benzodiazepine years ago by primary care and are looking for a more durable long-term plan.
Insurance & self-pay
In-network with ten major plans: Moda, PacificSource, Regence BlueCross BlueShield, Cigna / Evernorth, Aetna, Providence, Multiplan / Claritev, First Health, First Choice, and Optum. Most patients pay a specialist copay ($20–$60 typical).
Medicaid / Oregon Health Plan (OHP) is not accepted. Self-pay rates: $350 initial evaluation, $180 standard follow-up. Superbills available for out-of-network reimbursement. Good Faith Estimates provided before your first visit.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a psychiatrist in Newberg who treats anxiety disorders?
Yes — MindHealth Psychiatry sees adults for anxiety at 710 E Foothills Drive, Ste 104. Typical new-patient wait is about two weeks.
I've been on a benzodiazepine for a long time — what will happen?
We'll review carefully and collaboratively. Many long-standing benzodiazepine patients are best served by stable continuation with close monitoring; others benefit from gradual taper. We don't force rapid changes on patients who are functioning well.
Do you accept referrals from OB-GYN for postpartum anxiety?
Yes. Postpartum anxiety is a common referral pattern and a clinical area of comfort.
Is anxiety treatment covered by Oregon insurance?
We're in-network with ten major plans. Generic SSRI/SNRI medications are on virtually every commercial formulary with standard copay pricing.